Community Alliance: Appointment process was politically driven
Leadership requires vision, competence, and integrity—qualities seemingly lacking in former mayor Maria Ristow and Vice Mayor Rob Moore. Their actions during the Planning Commission appointment process show a troubling pattern of prioritizing politics over the community’s needs.
The Planning Commission shapes Los Gatos’ future through critical land-use decisions. Appointments should prioritize merit, knowledge and judgment. Yet, Ristow and Moore supported the least experienced candidate over a far more qualified applicant.
Of the three applicants, two were long-time residents with extensive land-use expertise. The third, a six-month resident, admitted to having little knowledge of the Town code, land uses or planning processes.
While enthusiasm is admirable, this role demands expertise, not on-the-job learning. Ristow and Moore’s support for the least qualified candidate appears politically driven.
The overlooked applicant, who narrowly lost a recent Town Council race, is seen as a potential rival. Blocking their appointment, despite their qualifications, reflects political gamesmanship at the expense of the community. This isn’t an isolated incident.
During the Housing Element crisis, Ristow and Moore acted as a voting bloc, prioritizing their vision over collaboration. Their delays led to Los Gatos missing its filing deadline, exposing the town to “Builder’s Remedy” projects. Developers have invoked this law for more than a dozen buildings (featuring structures up to 13 stories tall), which could add 15,500 daily car trips to local roads.
The Planning Commission failed to challenge flawed decisions during this crisis. With new appointments, trust can be rebuilt—if merit guides the process.
Thankfully, the Town Council majority overruled Ristow and Moore, appointing the most qualified candidates. However, their actions reveal poor judgment and disregard for the community. Los Gatos deserves leaders who prioritize competence and the public good—not politics.
It’s time to demand better.
Jak Van Nada
Los Gatos Community Alliance
Veterans see vacant building slipping away
At the last Los Gatos Town Council meeting, the council voted to allow the town staff to pursue Disposal of the historic Fire Station Property and Make Recommendations to the Town Council of the 100-year-old fire station (built in 1926) at 4 Tait Avenue, instead of declaring the structure a historical building for the town. The Town staff seems to be hell bent on getting this historical structure off its books. If the Town sells the property, the town only gets revenue for one year. If they keep it, it saves an important history of the town, and organizations can use it for years.
This building has been empty for six or seven years, even though three veteran organizations have been pleading to use it for storage and a meeting place for probably four years. Two people spoke in favor of keeping it as a historical building at 12:25 AM when the matter came up. No one spoke in favor of selling it.
While the town is being forced to allow the building of 13 story structures, it seems a shame that the town is not pursuing keeping the old Fire Station. The new Town manager was asked recently to have the town come up with an approximate cost of making the building safe for organizations to use, but he declined to do this.
The Los Gatos Veterans Memorial and Support Foundation, the Campbell Veterans Memorial Foundation, and the American Legion Post 99 are all desperate for a place for an office and meeting space. These three organizations had a tour of the building and it would be ideal for their use. This does not preclude other organizations using it as well, as those three organizations would only use it three times a month. Meeting space in Los Gatos does not exist.
Also, the zoning of this location is also an issue. It is within the Broadway Historical District. At least it was, as the general plan of March 2024 has it removed from the Historical District and no one knows why. The general plan of 2020, to the plan of 2040, has the location changed from residential to commercial. It is located in a residential area and street. I hope the neighbors are ready to enjoy a 7-Eleven store, car repair, or taco stand next to them.
If you would like to see the 100-year-old fire station preserved as an historical building, please contact your Town Council members. It would be a shame to have it bulldozed down and something commercial built around its residential neighbors.
Wayne Heimsoth
—Los Gatos
Nonprofit combatting dating violence
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a critical issue on college campuses, where nearly one in five students experience some form of relationship abuse. The combination of newfound independence and academic pressures makes students particularly vulnerable to IPV.
Despite growing awareness, both stigma and a lack of accessible, survivor-centered resources continue to hinder progress in addressing this form of violence. Organizations like Secure Steps are leading the charge in combating IPV through education and empowerment.
Recognizing the need for widespread awareness, Secure Steps has developed EmpowerU, a campaign that has connected over 15 college campuses, such as UMass and Duke, with expert speakers versed in IPV-related legal knowledge. This initiative ensures that students and faculty are equipped with the tools to recognize and address IPV.
Additionally, Secure Steps offers a podcast, “Secure Steps: Steps Towards Safety,” which provides accessible and insightful content for anyone looking to learn more about IPV. Featuring renowned experts like Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell and Sarah Buel, the podcast explores the complexities of IPV and underscores the importance of prevention, intervention, and systemic change.
The work of Secure Steps reminds us that tackling IPV is a shared responsibility; anyone can educate themselves and contribute to creating a culture of safety and support. College campuses, in particular, have an obligation to adopt comprehensive strategies and empower students to break the cycle of abuse, whilst dedicating research to undercover power dynamics across various demographics.
Secure Steps hopes to ensure that no survivor is left without the resources they need to heal and thrive.
Reena Alsakaji
Director of research, Secure Steps
